Negotiations over future of Heineken Cup must take place urgently, says RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie insists negotiations over the
future of the Heineken Cup are a "matter of urgency" - while
European Rugby Cup delay the next round of talks until October 23.

I see no changes: French clubs Clermont and Toulon are among those seeking an alternative competitionPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

English and French clubs are demanding structural, qualification and financial changes to the European competitions and have declared they will form an Anglo-French tournament next season, which teams from other nations are free to join.

Ritchie, speaking at the two-years-to-go milestone for the 2015 World Cup, stressed the need to find a resolution as quickly as possible.

ERC, however, have decided to wait six weeks before staging the next instalment of talks at a time when Premiership Rugby and Ligue Nationale de Rugby are actively seeking to create an alternative to the Heineken Cup.

The RFU, placed in a difficult position due to their interest in ERC and loyalty to Premiership clubs, have adopted a careful public line that was maintained by Ritchie on Tuesday.

Ritchie stated that any competition must include all European nations and is "optimistic" a compromise will be reached, but refused to "give up our negotiating position in public".